It's something we all struggle with - that fine line between being the very best real estate agent we can be for our clients and creating an atmosphere that is ripe for burn-out. While our clients have every right to expect our full attention, and they deserve to be our top priority, there's just so much of us to go around! And let's face it - there are some clients who demand far more of us than we could possibly deliver, but being the helpful types we are - we try our best... and often end up frustrated.

So, how can you create reasonable expectations for your clients upfront? How can you set boundaries and respectfully enforce them? How can you "decline the monkey" without alienating your client or appearing lazy?

The truth is that there is no perfect answer that will work every time. Some of effective expectation-setting starts with your own mindset as to what is reasonable and what is not. Some is simply realizing that some people are more difficult than others and not getting too flustered about that. Some is realizing that our job will require a certain amount of "process-time" - that is - helping our clients work thru their own issues and being patient while they do it. But yes, there ARE things you can do that will help you keep control of your business and of your clients, without their ever realizing that you're doing it.